In Esther chapter 3, the story of Esther truly begins to unfold. Haman was an Agagite, a descendant of the Amalekites—the people who attacked the weakest Israelites from behind during the exodus. When the king commanded everyone to pay reverence to Haman, Mordecai refused to bow. Enraged, Haman plotted to destroy Mordecai’s entire nation, falsely warning the king that the Jews were disobeying laws and planning an uprising. Yet, God was actively protecting and delivering His people in a foreign land, ultimately causing Haman to hang on the very gallows he had built for Mordecai. Elder Chris explains that God didn’t just set the world in motion and sit back, nor does He control every single event. Instead, He is a God who actively intervenes to deliver His people. Elder Chris proclaims that this same God continues to step in and deliver us today.

The Apostle Paul asks, “What shall we say to these things?” Elder Chris revisits how all things work together for our good, explaining that these “things” are how we are predestined, called, justified, and will ultimately be glorified. Since this is certain, how should we respond? Elder Chris reminds us that because God is for us—and greater than anything in the world—nothing can rob a child of God of their eternal salvation. Knowing this, we can face life without being doubtful or overwhelmed.

Turning back to Romans 8, Elder Chris reflects on how those God calls, He also justifies. While the doctrine of justification has several aspects, the Apostle Paul qualifies that the justification under consideration here is of God’s sovereign grace. We cannot justify ourselves for eternal salvation, as that would require keeping the whole law, which impossible for us. Instead, it required the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ to make us righteous in God’s sight. And looking ahead, Elder Chris proclaims that one day, we will also be glorified.

Esther was blessed by the Lord and found favor with King Ahasuerus, who chose her as queen to replace Vashti. Meanwhile, Mordecai—a faithful and God-fearing man—overheard a plot to assassinate the king, an act that would have thrown the kingdom into chaos. Mordecai alerted Esther, who informed the king on his behalf. An investigation confirmed the plot, the conspirators were executed, and the deed was noted in the chronicles—an act that later proved crucial to saving the nation of Israel. Reflecting on this, Elder Chris encourages us to faithfully seek and do the Lord’s will, trusting that being in the right place at the right time is never forgotten by God and will yield great blessings.

In Romans 8:30, the Apostle Paul demonstrates how God overcomes our fallen nature. Before the fall, God knew what it would take to save those He loved and covenanted with Himself that the Son would die for our sins. Focusing specifically on the phrase “them he also called,” Elder Chris describes this call as a quickening, a resurrection, and a change. He considers the new birth in the Scriptures and leaves us with this encouraging message: through the death of Jesus Christ, the called receive the promise of eternal inheritance.